Condenser augmentation device for a steam-powered system

Abstract

A condenser augmentation device for a steam-powered system is described. The system includes a steam boiler that has a condensate inlet and a steam outlet. The steam outlet is connected to an inlet of a steam-powered device. The steam-powered device has an exhaust outlet that is connected to a choke. The choke is connected to a condensing pipe that is routed to the condensate inlet of the boiler, forming a closed system. The choke contains an orifice that is of substantially smaller cross-section that either the exhaust outlet or the condensing pipe. By passing the exhaust steam through the orifice, the flow is reduced, resulting in rapid expansion, cooling and condensation of the exhaust steam, thus permitting a condensing pipe of a shorter length to be used. The choke may take several forms. The choke may be adapted to accept choke plates having various sized orifices. An adjustable, screw-operated choke plate may be connected to an operating handle or it may be remotely operable by means of an electrical solenoid or stepping motor.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A condenser augmentation device for a steam-powered system, comprising: 
       a boiler, said boiler including a condensate inlet, a pressure vessel, a means for heating said pressure vessel, means for controlling said heating, means for providing a steady flow of steam from said boiler, and a steam outlet;  
       a steam-driven device, said device including a steam inlet and an exhaust outlet, said steam inlet being connected to the steam outlet of the boiler;  
       said exhaust outlet being of a first predetermined cross-section;  
       a choke, said choke having an inlet end, an outlet end, a second cross-section and being attached at its inlet end to the exhaust outlet of the steam-driven device;  
       a condensing line, said condensing line having an inlet end, an outlet end, a third predetermined cross-section and being connected at its inlet end to the outlet end of the choke and being connected at its outlet end to the condensate inlet of the boiler;  
       said third predetermined cross-section being larger than said second cross-section;  
       a working fluid, said working fluid being disposed within the pressure vessel of said boiler and capable of being heated to a vapor stage therein and being capable of being converted to a liquid condensate in said condensing line after powering said steam-driven device and passing through said choke;  
       said choke including means of reducing the second cross-section to a size substantially smaller than said first and third pre-determined cross-sections;  
       said choke causing the working fluid vapor to cool and to condense by flowing through said smaller second cross-section at a reduced volume but at a rate of speed to expand the vapor in said condensing line;  
       said means of reducing the second cross-section to a size substantially smaller than the first and third pre-determined cross-sections further comprising:  
       an adjustable choke plate, said adjustable choke plate being disposed within said choke between said inlet end and said outlet end and capable of varying said second cross-section between a first size and a second size.  
     
     
       2. A condenser augmentation device for a steam-powered system as described in claim  1 , wherein the adjustable choke plate is remotely controllable. 
     
     
       3. A condenser augmentation device for a steam-powered system as described in claim  2 , wherein the adjustable choke plate is controlled by an electric solenoid. 
     
     
       4. A condenser augmentation device for a steam-powered system as described in claim  2 , wherein the adjustable choke plate is controlled by an electrical stepping motor.